Taiwan has been granted associate membership in the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and a Taiwanese researcher has been recognized as an EMBO “associate member.”
EMBO on Tuesday evening released its most recent list of members and member states, on which Academia Sinica microbiology and virology researcher James Liao (廖俊智) was listed as an associate member.
EMBO member states are mainly from the EU and although Taiwan participated in the organization under a “cooperation agreement” in 2012, this is the first time the country was granted associate membership.
Photo: Yang Yuan-ting, Taipei Times
India and Singapore are the only other two associate member states. Academia Sinica Department of International Affairs Director Meng Tzu-ching (孟子青) said he and others from the institution were able to secure associate membership for Taiwan after they briefed EMBO members on Taiwan’s strengths in scientific research at the organization’s annual meeting this year.
“Now that Taiwan is a member, it can send representatives to participate in the EMBO annual meeting every year, and can participate in discussions,” Meng said.
“This will expand opportunities for Taiwan in academic cooperation and exchanges with other countries.”
EMBO added 100 European researchers and 20 researchers from other regions this year. Those from outside of Europe are from countries including Taiwan, the US, Canada, Japan, China, India and Australia.
Liao, who is also the president of Academia Sinica, said he is frequently exposed to cross-field research, adding that this exposure provides him with a creative perspective and enthusiasm for research.
“I hope that this connection between Taiwan and EMBO can be further strengthened and that Taiwan can become a hub for researchers from Asia and Europe,” he said.
Liao said his research focuses on topics of biochemistry, such as the design and evolution of metabolic pathways.
In 2020, he published a study on synthetic methanophilic bacteria, which used synthetic biology technology to modify E. coli bacteria.
The research could help slow climate change and produce high-value carbon compounds by using methanol converted from greenhouse gases, he said.
Liao also led a team from Academia Sinica in a joint project with Taiwan Power Co aimed at developing decarbonized hydrogen-burning technology, allowing for reduced carbon emissions when generating power from natural gas.
To date, nine Academia Sinica researchers have received the “EMBO Global Investigator” scholarship and two have received the “EMBO Young Investigator” scholarship.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a
RSS